Reviewing the Cowboys' 2012 draft: Still plenty to ponder about

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Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer

Dallas cornerback Morris Claiborne exults in the end zone after recovering a fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the victory during the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Dallas Cowboys NFL football game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

The NFL draft is right around the corner May 8-10 and before we dive more into the Cowboys’ needs and what direction they might go with their selections, we’re going to take a step back and review.

So, how did the Cowboys get here? How has America’s Team remained stuck in mediocrity the last decade? Some of the blame can be traced to how the team has drafted players. We’ll continue today by taking a look back at each of the Cowboys’ last five draft classes, reviewing the overall impact of each class and if each pick that year was a bust (D or below, if you prefer grades), fair (B-C) or good (A).

In 2012, the Cowboys made seven picks. They had the 14 overall selection in the first round but traded that pick and their second-round pick to St. Louis to move up to the sixth overall pick. The Cowboys then selected the top-rated defensive player in the draft in LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. With no second-round pick, the Cowboys didn’t draft a player again until the third round, when they took Boise State defensive end Tyrone Crawford 81 overall. The Cowboys made two picks in the fourth round and one each in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

Here’s a look at each of the Cowboys’ seven players selected in the 2012 draft:

First round: CB Morris Claiborne from LSU

How he fared: Claiborne struggled last season for the Cowboys and didn’t adapt well to the club’s defensive change from a 3-4 to a 4-3 zone-based scheme. Claiborne started from Day 1 for the Cowboys and was solid in 2012, especially for a rookie cornerback in the NFL. Claiborne finished seventh on the team with 64 tackles in 2012 and second on the team with eight pass breakups. However, he didn’t produce as many impact players as the Cowboys had hoped. Claiborne had only one interception and two fumble recoveries as a rookie.

How he rates: Fair. Claiborne was solid in his first season to start in the NFL and should get better. But he didn’t exactly take a step forward in his second season in the league in 2013. Being such a high draft pick puts the pressure on Claiborne even more.

Third round: DE Tyrone Crawford from Boise State

How he fared: The Cowboys expected big contributions from Crawford in 2013 but he tore his Achilles on the first day of practice in training camp and was lost for the season. Crawford contributed his rookie season and showed flashes that he will be even better in the Cowboys’ new 4-3 scheme. Crawford finished his rookie season with 33 tackles and five quarterback pressures.

How he rates: Fair. He still has more to give and the Cowboys see him as a starter in 2014 as the rebuild their defensive line.

Fourth round: LB Kyle Wilber from Wake Forest

How he fared: Wilber had 44 tackles and two sacks in six starts last season. The Cowboys put him at defensive end in their new 4-3 scheme to start the season but eventually moved him back to linebacker, and he played solid at the strong-side spot in place of veteran Justin Durant. Wilber didn’t play much as a rookie and had only three tackles.

How he rates: Fair. He contributed more in his second season with the Cowboys and could start in 2014.

Fourth round: S Matt Johnson from Eastern Washington

How he fared: Johnson has yet to play in a game for the Cowboys through two seasons and hasn’t practiced very much either.

How he rates: Bust. He hasn’t played in a game yet, but the Cowboys believe he has the potential to compete for a starting safety spot. But they need to see him stay on the field first.

Fifth round: WR Danny Coale from Virginia Tech

How he fared: The Cowboys released Coale last season and he now plays for Pittsburgh. Coale was one of the Cowboys’ final cuts out of training camp in 2012 and ended up on the team’s practice squad. He then tore his ACL in mid-November last year to end his disappointing rookie season.

How he rates: Bust.

Sixth round: TE James Hanna from Oklahoma

How he fared: The Flower Mound product caught 12 passes for 73 yards last season and has yet to show the big-play potential the Cowboys had hoped from him when they drafted Hanna. He finished his rookie season with only eight catches for 86 yards, but he improved as a blocker and really came on late in the 2012 season in the passing game. His speed makes him a threat and he consistently caught the football.

How he rates: Fair. It didn’t help Hanna’s cause when the Cowboys drafted tight end Gavin Escobar in the second round in 2013.

Seventh round: LB Caleb McSurdy from Montana

How he fared: The Cowboys released McSurdy last year and he’s now with the St. Louis Rams. McSurdy never played in a game his rookie season in 2012 because he tore his ACL last August.

How he rates: Bust. He has yet to appear in an NFL game.

The Verdict?

Fair. The Cowboys appear to have a solid player in cornerback Morris Claiborne. And they really like the potential of defensive end Tyrone Crawford, linebacker Kyle Wilber, safety Matt Johnson and tight end James Hanna. Wilber is on the upswing, and the Cowboys still don’t really know what they have in Johnson or, for that matter, Crawford.

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